VisionTek, a leading manufacturer of advanced PC graphics and memory solutions, today announced its entry into the retail market at RetailVision, April 2-5, Beverly Hills, Calif. In addition to offering its products through leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), resellers and distributors, VisionTek has introduced a consumer product line, which is now available at national retail outlets, including Babbages, Electronics Boutique, Fry’s and Hastings.

According to Ric Lewis, VisionTek’s executive vice president of business development, the company’s status as a leading electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company, has successfully positioned VisionTek to fill unmet retail demand. “Our retail presence is a natural extension of our proven leadership in OEM and reseller markets for graphics, memory and peripheral products,” said Lewis. “We have the product mix, capacity and support necessary to satisfy consumer demand for high-quality PC components.”

“VisionTek seemingly came out of nowhere to dominate the retail market, but truth be told, the company has been a leading player all along,” said Kyle Bennett, founder of HardOCP.com. “VisionTek has been quietly putting out impressive graphics and memory products for big name companies. Consumers will quickly realize what those of us closest to the industry have known for a long time - there’s a world of difference between VisionTek’s cards and the others.”

One of the world’s largest providers of 3D graphics cards, and the only U.S.-based company manufacturing retail 3D graphics accelerators with NVIDIA chipsets, VisionTek is entering the retail market with a phased implementation strategy. During the first phase, VisionTek is introducing a line of high-quality graphics accelerators.

“VisionTek’s award-winning graphics cards combine performance, speed and visual quality to power the most intense visual ride gamers dare to take on,” said Lewis. “End-users have already been purchasing VisionTek graphics cards through our other channels. Now gamers at all experience levels can purchase OEM-quality products directly through retail outlets and be assured an unprecedented gaming experience at every price point.”

The company’s GeForce2 MX and Vanta 16 AGP graphics accelerators are available now. VisionTek’s GeForce3 will be in stores in May 2001. Future VisionTek consumer product introductions are expected to include a complete line of NVIDIA processor-based video cards, memory upgrades, sound cards, modems and other PC components.

“The VisionTek product line is a tremendous addition for our stores,” said Jerry Madaio, vice president of sales at Electronics Boutique. “There is a considerable hole in the market for graphics accelerators, and we’re glad VisionTek is the one to fill it. We’re confident VisionTek offers the quality, capacity and breadth of product line we need to give gamers of all experience levels exactly what they’re looking for in a graphics card.”

Traditionally first to market with latest NVIDIA-based products, VisionTek manufactures its line of retail graphics accelerators in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with the industry’s fastest production lines. The company’s longstanding relationship with NVIDIA, combined with its stringent, ISO-registered quality processes and worldwide network of offices and sales partners, ensures VisionTek products will be available to retailers immediately and meet the highest standards for quality and compatibility. VisionTek products are also backed a three-year warranty and the support of the company’s expert technical support professionals.

In addition to its retail product line, VisionTek offers its memory, graphics and peripheral products through authorized resellers.
About VisionTek

Based in Gurnee, Illinois, VisionTek, is a leading manufacturer, developer, and supplier of graphics, value-added memory, and peripheral product solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Compaq, Gateway, IBM, and Micron, as well as electronics manufacturers, IS professionals and their channel partners. VisionTek is a global supplier, shipping to Europe and Asia as well as the U.S. The company delivers guaranteed-compatible desktop, notebook, server, and printer products that extend the useful life of technology investments. The company is ISO 9001 certified, ensuring the highest standards for quality in design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery. VisionTek products are available through leading distributors, resellers and retail outlets. In addition to the full range of graphics, memory, and peripheral products sold through the reseller channel, VisionTek offers value-added contract manufacturing services. VisionTek’s consumer product line is available at national retail stores, including Babbages, Electronics Boutique, Fry’s and Hastings.